Ethel Uses The Knife

Ethel Uses The Knife, 91, of Eagle Butte, passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospice House.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. MST, Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte with Mother Margaret Watson presiding. Burial followed at the St. James Episcopal Cemetery, Bear Creek, SD. Wake services were held at 7:00 p.m. MST, Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at the church, with a procession from the 4 mile junction at 4:00 p.m.

Ethel Louise (Butcher) Uses The Knife was born November 5, 1923 to Samuel and Nellie (Clown) Butcher in Bear Creek, SD. Her Lakota name, Gliyunke Win, was given to her by her grandparents Amos and Iron Cedar Woman. It was in honor of her Uncle Mose Clown, who was killed in WWI and brought home and laid to rest in Thunder Butte, SD. Ethel’s mother Nellie passed away when she was only six years old, and she was raised by her grandparents and her father.

In 1943, Ethel married Raymond Uses The Knife, Sr. and lived with him north of Thunder Butte and moved to Dupree until his passing in 1985. To this union, five sons and five daughters were born.

Ethel was very dedicated to her family and her children. She ranched side by side with her husband well into her fifties. She and Raymond were also devoted Christians who even sponsored many home church services. Ethel’s hobbies included sewing for her children, beading and baking. In her younger years she was a Shawl Dancer, and she was also a traditional dancer. Raymond and Ethel often enjoyed traveling to pow-wows together.

Ethel is survived by her sons: William Uses The Knife, Rapid City, SD, Mathew Uses The Knife, Eagle Butte, SD, Raymond Uses The Knife, Jr., Eagle Butte, SD and Bernard Uses The Knife, Eagle Butte, SD; her daughters: Mary E. Zephier, Rapid City, SD, Etta Rush, Deville, Louisiana, and Marietta Little Thunder, Eagle Butte, SD; special nieces: Christina Moran, Wanda Halne, and Phiolmine Moran, all of Eagle Butte; special nephews: Gary Bad Warrior, Duey Bad Warrior, and Steve Moran, all of Eagle Butte; 46 grandchildren; 93 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 42 years, Raymond Sr.; son, Thomas Stands For; daughters: Ruth Marie Uses The Knife and Bernadette Uses the Knife; granddaughter, Loreal Uses The Knife; grandson, Trent Stands For; and sister, Maethel Moran.

The family would like to say thank you to the Rapid City Regional Hospice staff for the excellent and loving care given to their mother. You kindness and compassionate care for Ethel will not be forgotten.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Ethel’s arrangements.